Luke

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is the fulfillment of the prophecy found in Micah 5:2. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Bethlehem was a small city in Judah near Jerusalem. King David had been born in Bethlehem and Jesus, who came from the lineage of King David and whose lineage goes all the way back to Adam, was also born there. Jesus is referred to as the King of the Jews from the beginning of his life to the end and it is no coincidence that Bethlehem’s literal meaning is “The House of Bread” because Jesus is the “Bread of Life”. You see, every detail about the birth of Jesus, including being born in Bethlehem, was all part of God’s divine plan for our salvation.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!

God’s good will in sending the Messiah brought peace into the world. The plan of redemption brings glory and praise to God in that He gave His only Son. Jesus, the Prince of Peace came to reconcile the world to God by His atonement for our sins. The gift of the Savior is an expression of God’s good will, love and mercy towards all men who will receive it. This Christmas and all year around let the peace of Christ fill your heart with good will toward all men.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

On the very “first Christmas” Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room at the inn. What about this Christmas, is there room for Jesus in your heart? Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart will you let Him in, or like the inn keeper, will you tell Him you have no room? Open your heart to Jesus and receive the most wonderful gift of all.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Over 2000 years ago an angel appeared to the shepherds bringing good news. God had a divine plan for our salvation and Jesus was born to lay down His life for all people. The promised Messiah, the Savior had been born. The good news of the Savior’s birth is the reason for great joy and celebration!

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Christmas is exactly one month away and although it’s nice to be able to give our loved ones gifts it’s also a good time to remind ourselves that life is not about possessions. People trying to get the newest car, the biggest house or the next big thing are never satisfied. The only thing that can ever satisfy your soul is Jesus! Life is not about the material possessions you have it’s about having a relationship with the Lord.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

God commands us to love our enemies, even the ungrateful and wicked. For some this may be harder than others, but if we are grounded in God’s love and mercy, we can move past our human nature and into the spiritual characteristic of being Christlike. Our heavenly Father has shown us great mercy and expects us to be kind to those who are ungrateful and wicked, not because they deserve it, but because we are striving to live a life that pleases God.